The 2018 Super Bowl Champion Eagles are in a tough spot from a financial standpoint. They are currently over the cap, and have several high profile players set to hit the open market. One of those players is unrestricted free agent TE Trey Burton.
Burton has certainly come a long way since joining the Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2014. From being fourth on the tight end depth chart to throwing touchdown passes in the Super Bowl, it has certainly been nice to see Burton blossom into a key contributor in Philly. Unfortunately, he may have played his way out of the Eagles price range. It’d be great to have Burton in midnight green long-term, but I’d expect him to be paid handsomely to be a starter elsewhere. Couple Burton’s likely departure with the fact his fellow tight end Brent Celek may have also played his last down as an Eagle, and all of a sudden the Eagles are incredibly thin at the position. Luckily for the Eagles, there is tight end on the market that could adequately replace the primary roles of both options- with a low price tag to boot.
That player is none other than former Pro Bowler Gary Barnidge. Barnidge was a stud for the Cleveland Browns in the 2015 and 2016 seasons, but was cut by the team after they invested a first round pick in TE David Njoku last year. The free agent market was not favorable to Barnidge last season, as teams tried to lowball him, and he wound up sitting the 2017 season out entirely.
The former fifth round pick recently spoke about his decision to sit in an interview with Sirius XM radio:
“I had calls and opportunities and workouts and stuff like that but I was really frustrated,” Barnidge told co-host Ed McCaffrey on SiriusXM NFL Radio. “Teams view you like once you’re an older guy, ‘Oh, you’re not worth as much. You can’t succeed. You can’t do that kind of stuff.’ That’s how they do it. That’s not the truth.
Although I understand Barnidge’s frustration with the contract offers he received, I can’t imagine he’d be valued by teams more now than he was on the heels of two productive seasons. I do believe, however, that there will be suitors, and the Eagles should be chief among them.
Barnidge the Pass Catcher:
Barnidge could excel in Trey Burton’s former role as an excellent pass catching tight end. In 2015, the 6’5 stud exploded for 79 receptions, 1,043 yards, and 9 touchdowns. Barnidge caught everything that came his way and was the favorite target of every Browns quarterback that suited up that season. And by caught everything that came his way, I mean literally everything:
This Gary Barnidge touchdown catch is ridiculous #Browns pic.twitter.com/DiSbatFugT
— Steve Noah (@Steve_OS) October 11, 2015
Gary Barnidge with the catch of the day ? @Browns @garybarnidge https://t.co/fJAuN36cJl
— OTSea (@OtseaERC) August 6, 2014
The former Cleveland Brown succeeded his Pro Bowl 2015 season with another productive year in 2016- 612 yards on 55 receptions. Barnidge is more than capable of filling Burton’s role as a pass catching specialist, and is even talented enough to step in and start if Ertz were to miss a few games with injury.
Barnidge the Blocker
Barnidge the blocker may sound like a cheesy, unsuccessful t.v sitcom, but his run and pass blocking abilities should make him an attractive replacement for Brent Celek. According to PFF, Barnidge lead all tight ends in pass-blocking efficiency in 2016, allowing only three total pressures. He was also highly effective in pass protection in 2015, giving up just five total pressures.
High effort and commitment is not lost on Barnidge, and he would bring even more energy to a team currently riding a Super Bowl high. Although Barnidge will almost certainly be looking for one last big payday, I don’t expect teams will have to break the bank to attain him. Signing with a team looking to repeat as Super Bowl champs may be too good to pass up for the 32 year old, especially given he’d have a significant role.
This is a match made in heaven and one Howie Roseman should pursue.
Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
